They’d all squeezed in, five people was one too many according to the small metal plate in the elevator, but since the two cadets and Mariana Hermansson were quite slim, and Sven was hardly what you’d call overweight, only Grens really contributed much toward reaching the maximum weight limit. ewert and anni grens. Both names stood above the mail slot. Despite all the years that had gone by. The detective superintendent thought he caught a few pitying looks, but didn’t react to them. He could have any damn names he wanted to on his own door.

“Before you step in.”

He unlocked, but didn’t open it completely, hesitated with his hand on the handle.

“Mariana, you dropped in unexpectedly a few days ago—so you know a little more about what we’ll be talking about in there. Sven, you’ve also been here once before, but that was a long time ago and not particularly pleasant, I think we can both agree. And for you, Lucas and Amelia, this will be your first opportunity and the fact that this is happening during your training period is as odd for me as it is for you. But everything about this investigation has been odd.”

He looked at them, one by one.

“Because this is it—whether you’ve known me for many years or just a few weeks, the following rules apply: when you cross this threshold and enter my hall, you’re entering into silence. Into an alternative police world. Are you okay with that?”

They nodded. All of them. And at about the same time.

“Good. Then you’re welcome inside. Continue straight as far as you can, then turn right into the kitchen.”

While Grens grabbed some extra chairs from the living room, his four guests stood in front of a whiteboard with documents pinned to it and arrows pointing in various directions. It certainly looked like a police investigation. And the longer they looked at it, the more it turned into a police investigation.

“You guys have made some progress since the last time I was here.”

Mariana Hermansson was close to the board, reading the reports, examining the pictures.

Sven Sundkvist showed up at her side.

“Ewert . . . what is all this? Investigation results and forensic analyses that I’ve never seen. And when Mariana says you guys have come a long way—she sure as hell isn’t referring to you and me.”

The detective superintendent asked them to sit down, put the coffee-maker on, and brought out five cups and a fresh roll of Marie biscuits. He poured a cup for each of them, then turned to the two cadets.